|
Yes - but there're also many people who are NOT certified and know just as little.
Personally, I been developer for 6-7 years now I no longer bother, nobody gives a damn about it that it's more shame than pride telling people you actually have certification.
dev
|
|
|
|
|
Considering there are only 20 or so Certified Architects it is great that 7 of them already voted.
|
|
|
|
|
Actually it says on the Microsoft site that there are over 70 of them. 
|
|
|
|
|
Even if Alan is right 22 of them - sounds like wishfull thinking to me!
I know CP is good but.....
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
|
|
|
|
|
I have taken more than 15 Microsoft Certification exams, and I do it for my own selfish reasons.
As most developers, I have a natural curiousity about everything related to being a developer, therefore I want to know what it's all about.
With the current rate of new technologies emerging, even just from within Microsoft, I find, that it can be callenging to really get the grasp of things by only reading articles on the net and toying a bit with the stuff in VS.
On the other hand I find, that reading the Self-Paced Training Kit for an exam actually gives you a very thorough understanding of the topic.
I agree, that you do not become an expert in the topic, but you will definitely broaden and deepen your knowledge with every exam you study for.
In fact, you could just read the book and then don't take the exam, but having booked the exam works as a motivator for me: I want to get through the book before the exam, and I want to have a good enough grasp on things, that I can pass the exam.
A side note:
The poll is missing Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), even though these are close to being outdated.
|
|
|
|
|
I've bought the books but could be bother to take the exam, seems pointless.
|
|
|
|
|
My employer would like me to get some for various reasons, but I think my .net knowledge is too narrow and my disdain for several features too deep.
A while back I took a short skills evaluation; on a few questions I gave the answer I know to be correct while knowing that it wasn't the answer they were looking for. On three others the correct answer wasn't available so I had to give the incorrect answer that I knew they were looking for.
|
|
|
|
|
PIEBALDconsult wrote: My employer would like me to get some for various reasons, but I think my .net knowledge is too narrow and my disdain for several features too deep.
If the employer is willing to pay for it and allow you to study on pay time, then it may even be a good idea.
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, but those are new tricks.
|
|
|
|
|
earning such certificate is waste of time..
if u want a good certificate then u should look for an academic one or something such PMP or ITIL etc..
i'm now .net developer and i agree it is good to earn MS certificate but it is good for short time only.. coz it will freez me in my place (career) since it has a career limit while the academic one or PMP, ITIL etc.. has a better career future in short term or long term..
|
|
|
|
|
Do you know what ITIL is?
|
|
|
|
|
Maybe something like an IDIC? But IDIC is more universally accepted. 
|
|
|
|
|
Do you think the PMP is a valid indicator of a decent project manager? Even if they've never programmed before.. Ug..
|
|
|
|
|
i just gave an example when i said pmp and yes it is.. how about ITIL.. ?
|
|
|
|
|
Every certification exam I have taken has been a test to see if I know how to take a multiple choice exam, yes, including the PMP exam.
Just because you have a PMP doesn't mean you know anything at all about managing projects. In fact, once you step away from the traditional development methodology and start down the road of, say, Agile methodlogy, all of that wonderful PMP learning goes out the window. So in OUR field... a PMP means 4 hours of your life you'll never get back.
Microsoft certifications... in my experience, good for getting a job, but once you are there, if you don't have the chops you won't last. We call that paper certification. This is where education and experience come in.
It's a debate that has been going on for years and years now. And probably won't get settled in this forum, but it sure is fun to talk about. 
"Those that say a task is impossible shouldn't interrupt the ones who are doing it." - Chinese Proverb
|
|
|
|
|
What the hell? PMP not a waste of time? Project delays and failure is common place - once my boss told me I don't need to worry about 75 hours work week because "This next project will be managed under Prince framework". What a joke.
wake up mate, most PM don't know what they are talking about.
(talk to your HR, i bet the only skill you need is Communication Skill)
dev
|
|
|
|
|
I couldn't agree more. It is a waste of time since they are short lived. .NET today, Java certified, CISCO router xyz certified, what next? How long will these continue. Then the next round. It would be better to get a certificate as a Buddist monk or a Christian Pastor. At least the subject matter never changes.
But, you basic college degree in computer science should give you a good grounding in the software basics. That means, if you're in .NET, writing your own list, arraylist, and dictionaries fromm scratch. (Java, uses maps and related structures.) Not just how to use these structures, but the theory bahind them, the probability math, and how to construct them on the fly.
With the exception of technology specialist, a general test in any of the above areas should test less on coding aspects rather than design aspects and development theory. For architects and senior level developers, testing in leadership skills should be manditory.
It would seem to test to specific technologies (in the long run) would be fruitless, since it changes frequently. Over a career lifetime, you could see technology turnover every five to 10 years. Development techniques (and design) will change at least every 10-15 years. How long has object oriented design been popular. For me, since about 1992. Prior to that, I was using C to create production software.
Leadership and managerial skills should last your whole career lifetime.
Technology will always be changing the fastest, managing it will be mostly the same.
|
|
|
|
|
Actually I believe writing like a teenager is going to do more to 'freez you in your place (career)' than anything else.
|
|
|
|
|
I recently got my MCTS for SQL Server to get a pay raise. My employer would like to be able to say all their IT department have certifications.
This being my first and only cert, I have not found the need for one during my 20 plus years of IT.
One of the comments here noted that they test for hire. I do very badly at those but when I get the job the employer seems to be happy with my work.
|
|
|
|
|
djj55 wrote: One of the comments here noted that they test for hire. I do very badly at those but when I get the job the employer seems to be happy with my work.
Same here, I usually do really bad at tests, but I've always been complimented about my work when I get the job.
|
|
|
|
|
Now a days people have started to learn DUMPS for any certifications,
So even if they dont have any pratical experiences they can easily get through these tests.
but once they get into the companies - by saying that they're certified professionals -
they are also putting their companies/industries into a problem.
so - better if you're experienced then just go through the prescribed books once
and write the test - score is not at all important - the knowledge what you have gained is much more important.
All the Best to all.
Kannan Samynathan
|
|
|
|
|
Kannan Samynathan wrote: if you're experienced then just go through the prescribed books once
...And just stop there, save yourself the time and money that would have been spent on the actual test. After all, a cert that groups you with the lazy and dishonest is worse than no cert at all...
---- You're right.
These facts that you've laid out totally contradict the wild ramblings that I pulled off the back of cornflakes packets .
|
|
|
|
|
It was unwise of Microsoft to exclude the C++ programmers totally from their certification programs. They tried it with VisualStudio too, but had to step back into the rank after the huge negative feedback from the industry.
Many software departments in companies like to hop onto the latest trend in the hope to save a lot of money and time - so they adopted .NET. But if you look at the biggest contenders in the industry, they still use C++ and for good reasons.
I'd love to make a cert. on C++ but I'm still not the least bit interested in .NET. 
|
|
|
|
|
PatLeCat wrote: Many software departments in companies like to hop onto the latest trend in the hope to save a lot of money and time - so they adopted .NET. But if you look at the biggest contenders in the industry, they still use C++ and for good reasons.
Yes true. But there are very good reasons for adopting a framework like .NET for a variety of applications. They just aren't what I'd choose to use C++ for. I was a C++ developer (and a couple of colleagues say that I am self deprecating in that regard - ie I'm better than I think I am), BUT I don't use it day to day any more, I'm rusty and no longer efficient, so I don't refer to myself as a current C++ developer. .NET has been a boon for productivity in the 'scope' of applications that are my bread and butter. The fact of the matter is that in certain circumstances .NET is a massive productivity boost.
But yes I agree that C++ does seem to hang on the frings of MS thinking these days and that's a shame.
The only thing unpredictable about me is just how predictable I'm going to be.
|
|
|
|
|
If MFC had become .net things would of been very different, either way I still 'dabble' with C++ from time to time, but c# and .net are a dream to work with.
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
